Hollywood is for lovers: Sexiest movie scenes

By CNN Staff

Updated 2011 GMT (0411 HKT) February 11, 2014

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Photos:Hollywood's steamiest sex scenes

'Fifty Shades of Grey' (2015) – "Fifty Shades of Grey" came out around Valentine's Day in 2015, a perfect time for a film whose sex scenes had some blushing red. It isn't the first movie with risque scenes that had moviegoers titillated.

'Don't Look Now' (1973) – The graphic sex scenes between Donald Sutherland and Julie Christie in "Don't Look Now" resulted in an X rating at first and have fans still wondering, did they or didn't they?

'Love Jones' (1997) – "Love Jones" is the story of a poet and photographer -- Nia Long and Larenz Tate -- trying to figure out if they'd found lasting love, and it's filled with scenes of their lustful explorations. Their initial sleepover, set to the tune of Maxwell's "Sumthin' Sumthin'," is one that'll threaten to set fire to your TV.

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Photos:Hollywood's steamiest sex scenes

'Wild Things' (1998) – Matt Dillon and Denise Richards helped steam things up in the erotic thriller "Wild Things," which included a menage a trois scene with Neve Campbell.

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Photos:Hollywood's steamiest sex scenes

'Eyes Wide Shut' (1999) – Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman were still married when they co-starred in "Eyes Wide Shut," in which iconic director Stanley Kubrick pushed the envelope. Years later, there is still talk about hidden messages.

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Photos:Hollywood's steamiest sex scenes

'Cruel Intentions' (1999) – The cast of "Cruel Intentions" had chemistry all the way around, but the heat between the once-married Reese Witherspoon and Ryan Phillippe was palpable.

'The Notebook' (2004) – "The Notebook" has become the gold standard for romantic movies, but one scene in particular will have viewers pausing to rewind. When Ryan Gosling's Noah and Rachel McAdams' Allie Calhoun reunite, not even pouring rain can dampen the sensual scene that follows.

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Photos:Hollywood's steamiest sex scenes

'Brokeback Mountain' (2005) – Heath Ledger, left, and Jake Gyllenhaal share a cowboy love that dare not speak its name in "Brokeback Mountain."

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Photos:Hollywood's steamiest sex scenes

'A History of Violence' (2005) – Viggo Mortensen and Maria Bello are a loving couple who face danger in "A History of Violence." But they also don't mind spicing it up with costumes and role play.

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Photos:Hollywood's steamiest sex scenes

'Black Snake Moan' (2006) – If there's any reason to see "Black Snake Moan," it's to see just how well Christina Ricci and Justin Timberlake work together in their love scenes.

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Photos:Hollywood's steamiest sex scenes

'Shortbus' (2006) – Raphael Barker and Sook-Yin Lee star in "Shortbus," about a female sex therapist and a group of sexually adventurous New Yorkers.

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Photos:Hollywood's steamiest sex scenes

'The Reader' (2008) – Kate Winslet and David Kross played out the heat between a younger man and an older woman in "The Reader."

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Photos:Hollywood's steamiest sex scenes

'Blue Valentine' (2010) – Ryan Gosling and Michelle Williams did such excellent work portraying sometimes-volatile lovers in "Blue Valentine" that the Motion Picture Association of America initially tried to give the movie an NC-17 rating.

'Blue is the Warmest Color' (2013) – Adele Exarchopoulos, left, and Lea Seydoux star in "Blue is the Warmest Color," which drew lots of attention upon its release because of its graphic sex scenes, including one that is more than six minutes long.

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Photos:Hollywood's steamiest sex scenes

'The Wolf of Wall Street' (2013) – Margot Robbie and Leonardo DiCaprio could make pretty much anything look amazing, including enjoying one another on top of a pile of money. Turns out that steamy scene wasn't as fun for the actress: "If anyone is ever planning on having sex on top of a pile of cash: don't," Robbie said in an interview with The Daily Beast.